A/N This chapter was thrown together because I didn't want to make you wait! Sorry! FYI, italics are either flashbacks or thoughts. Or both. Work it out.

Disclaimer: Cold Case belongs to CBS.

When Lilly was finished in the shower, all she had to do to find her partner was follow the sound of heavy sighs. She found him sitting on the floor in the nursery, knees hugged tightly to his chest.

"Hey," she said quietly. Scotty jumped, turning his head to look at her.

"Hey."

Lilly moved towards him.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked, easing herself to the floor beside him. He started in concern at the sight of his pregnant girlfriend (and her 8 month bump) struggling to sit down.

"You shouldn't be on the floor, Lil!" She smirked.

"Too late."

With a defeated chuckle, Scotty scooted closer, wrapping his arm around her back.

"So what do YOU think I'm thinkin' about?"

"I think you're questioning whether you'll make a good father, which, by the way, you will, and I think you're replaying what happened undercover," Lilly replied slowly, her voice soft and covering him in a blanket of warmth. Scotty looked around, smiling.

"Looks like you've got everything covered in here. Diapers, bottles, a scary lookin' red thing..."

"Hey, don't be mean about Elmo. Your niece and nephew picked it out especially."

"OK, OK. But I don't think there's anythin' missin'."

She followed his gaze, shrugging.

"I guess we have everything we need to start with. Still need to paint, though."

"Nooo, I need to paint. You ain't gettin' nowhere near them fumes."

Lilly crawled into his lap, linking her hands at the back of his neck and smirking.

"You gonna stop me, Valens?" she said in a husky voice. His grin widened. He braced an arm behind him, letting the other wander up her side to cup her cheek.

"Yeah," he replied cockily. Her lips got closer to his, and Lilly arched a teasing eyebrow.

"Yeah?" she echoed teasingly, brushing her nose against his.

"Yeah," he murmured again, finally closing the gap and catching her lips in a kiss. When they finally broke away, clothes dishevelled and breathing heavily, Lilly smoothed her hands across his shoulders.

"Are you coming with me?" she asked.

"Where?"

"To work."

Scotty sighed heavily.

"They don't want me there. I don't know if I even have a job there anymore," he said sadly. Lilly slid her hands up his chest to fiddle with the neck of his vest.

"I want you there."

"Lil..."

"I want you there."

He stared at her for a minute, before letting his eyes fall closed.

"Then I guess I don't have a choice."

Twenty minutes later, Lilly was still listening for the sound of the shower to start. Finally giving into temptation, she knocked softly on the bathroom door.

"Yeah," Scotty called dejectedly, the pain in his voice almost breaking her heart. The blonde detective pushed open the door, taking a step into the room. Her partner was leaning over the sink, his arms resting either side of the basin. Lilly slid her arms around his waist from behind, locking eyes with him in the mirror. He lifted a hand to his face, poking and prodding the bruises.

"They don't look too bad," she said, attempting brightness. Scotty shook his head.

"Liar."

It seemed his self-flagellation was destined to continue for the rest of the day, and despite her best attempts, Lilly couldn't bring even the smallest of smiles to his face. Now, as they walked through the doors of the Homicide department, she was all but begging him to talk to her.

Scotty took a few steps past the lockers, and stopped suddenly. Not paying attention, Lilly collided with his back.

"Hey!" she exclaimed. He turned around.

"I can't do this."

Lilly blocked his way, resting her hands on his chest.

"You have to, Scotty," she said gently. He shook his head.

"But I don't need them givin' me dirty looks all afternoon," he said sadly.

"Then give them dirty looks right back. It's just us, Scotty."

The male detective slid his hand into hers.

"Just us," he echoed, finally letting her lead him into the department. It seemed that the police force grapevine hadn't let them down. Word had travelled like wildfire about the jackass up in Cold Cases who ran off for some undercover glory, leaving his pregnant girlfriend without a word.

Word seemed to have moved even faster about how she'd welcomed him back, no questions asked, and how he seemed to have sunk in on himself, uncharacteristic on both their behalves.

As the couple pointedly ignored the eyes glancing in their direction, the department slowly went back to work, and they were soon forgotten. Lilly was like a lioness circling her family, daring them to approach. Everything about her body language screamed at Vera and his colleagues to leave Scotty alone. The mark Vera had left on his jaw was blatantly obvious, and the burly detective couldn't distinguish between the satisfaction and the guilt he felt every time he looked to the right.

As Scotty sighed heavily, carefully avoiding his partner's watchful gaze, Manning came to a stop beside him.

"Hey, Ellie," Scotty said tiredly. She placed a cup of coffee on his desk, her face serious.

"I'm glad you're here," she replied quietly. He gave her a quick smile.

"Thanks."

"Scotty, a word," Stillman called gently. The younger detective felt the color drain from his face.

"Can it wait, boss?" he asked, looking around for Lilly.

"No," came the blunt reply. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Scotty turned, his eyes searching for his partner. As if she had sensed his anxiety, Lilly appeared in the break room doorway, her blue eyes wide, and hurried to his side.

"I didn't know where you were," he whispered in a choked voice.

"It's OK. I'm right here."

He nodded slowly.

"I gotta go talk to Boss."

"I'm not going anywhere," she said gently. Vera waved a piece of paper in the air.

"Manning, third message in twenty minutes. Think you might wanna call back?" She frowned slightly.

"Who is it?"

"Do I look like your damn secretary?"

Miller threw a ball of paper at his head.

"Don't be an ass," she said. Vera rolled his eyes, handing the message slip to his youngest colleague.

"Some guy called Dean. Keep tellin' him you're sick."

"So tell him I died," she replied in a shaky voice, turning away from him to put down her bag and shrug off her coat. Vera shook his head in disbelief.

"Ain't I heard that before?" he growled, aiming a pointed glare at Miller. She returned it just as fiercely as Manning left for the bathroom.

"You should lay off her. Stop being such a dick."

"Yeah, well. She should stop doin'...whatever the hell it is she's doin'. She's been fuckin' drivin' me crazy ever since her tiny little fight wit' Lil. But I don't know what her damn problem is."

Miller stood up, leaning down to hiss in his ear.

"Ever think her problem might be you?"

Swearing and muttering curses under his breath, Vera stood up, suddenly towering over her, and stomped into the break room. Miller watched him leave with a scowl on her face, sighing in disgust at his pig-headedness. Her eyes scanned around the room, coming to land on Lilly.

"Hey, Lil?"

"Yes?"

"What's up with Scotty?"

She glanced up, her eyes darkening at Miller's question.

"Why?" she questioned cautiously. Her curly haired colleague shrugged.

"Because I'm worried about him."

Lilly hesitated, not knowing how much she should reveal, if any at all.

"Drugs bust. He..."

"He what, Lil?" Miller prompted gently. The blonde detective sighed.

"He watched them kill a little boy, about the same age as his nephew."

"Shit."

Miller pinched the bridge of her nose, squeezing her eyes shut. Lilly shook her head, glancing towards her boss' office to make sure Scotty was alright.

"He said something about there being this woman...all I could make out was they raped and killed her."

"But he's seen worse than that, right?" Miller questioned in confusion. Lilly nodded.

"Yeah, but he said she looked just like me."

"Well, that explains a lot."

A cup of coffee appeared under her nose, and Miller jumped, looking up. Vera scowled.

"Maybe I am bein' too hard on Manning," he admitted quietly. She nodded, not saying anything as he moved back to his desk. Lilly watched the whole exchange curiously. He brought her coffee. Because that's normal... Luckily for Vera and Miller, her attention was diverted from them by the reappearance of her partner.

"Hey," she greeted, standing up as quickly as her pregnant body would allow.

"Hey," Scotty replied with a smile. He rubbed his hand over Peanut, and bent to kiss the bump.

"So..." Lilly began slowly, searching his eyes for any clue as to how he was really feeling. Scotty straightened, resting his forehead against hers.

"So I'm OK," he reassured. His partner broke into a broad smile and the male detective couldn't help but chuckle.

"You know, I've been thinkin'," he continued, sitting down in his seat and watching as Lilly did likewise.

"Good thinking or bad thinking?"

"Good thinking. Well, for me. I want our child Christened."

Lilly blinked in surprise.

"That's it?" she said. Scotty frowned.

"What do you mean 'that's it'?"

"Well...I just assumed that we'd do the whole christening thing in Church anyway."

"You did?" Scotty asked with a grin.

"Well, yeah...I know I'm not religious, but you are, and your parents are, so..."

Vera cleared his throat.

"You know, if you're still thinking of names, Nicholas has always been a favourite of mine."

Scotty grinned.

"Oh yeah?" he replied. Jeffries sat back in his seat.

"William's a good strong name."

Miller snorted.

"Bet you wouldn't be sayin' that if it was a girl," she said. Vera glared at her.

"Alright then, smartass. You think of a name." Kat grinned cockily.

"Matter of fact, I already ha..."

"Toby."

Four heads turned to look at Lilly. A faint smile spread from her lips.

"Toby John Rush," she said. The others exchanged glances, before breaking out into identical grins.

"Toby. Sounds great, Lil," Scotty replied, leaning forward to kiss her cheek. She smiled to herself, hearing the pride in his voice. Vera spoke again, this time under his breath.

"I still think Nick is a good name."

The nurse smiled at him flirtatiously, blushing as he walked past. Scotty grinned cheekily, winking. Lilly caught the exchange, and even though she knew he was only teasing her, stopped dead in her tracks.

"Valens!"

His grin grew at the fiery glint in her eyes.

"Yeah, Lil?" he asked innocently. Lilly glared at him.

"Please stop flirting with the nurses on the way to the SONOGRAM!"

Scotty wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him, and raised his eyebrows teasingly.

"Are you jealous?"

"NO!"

"You are, aren't you?"

"Valens..."

He chuckled.

"That is clearly Jealous Lilly Face." She punched his arm, narrowing her eyes menacingly.

"Are you trying to piss me off?"

"I thought I might find you down here."

The soft voice that reached his ears broke him from his daydream, and Scotty turned, a smile spreading from the corner of his lips.

"It's the only quiet place in the whole building," he replied. Lilly moved towards him, nodding in understanding.

"I know. You sort of just disappeared. Nearly had me worried, Valens," she teased softly.

"Sorry," he replied seriously, "I jus' needed some space, you know?"

"I know. So what were you laughing at?"

"You," he replied. Lilly arched an eyebrow.

"Me?"

"Yeah. That time we were goin' to the hospital, and I got a twitch in my eye just as that nurse walked by."

Lilly laughed at his childlike expression.

"A twitch in the eye? Right."

"It was! You know I'd never wink at anyone else when you're wit' me."

"But you'd do it when I'm not there?"

"Did I say that?" he teased, extending a hand to draw her closer. He tried to kiss her, but Lilly turned her head, and his lips landed on her cheek.

"Lil!"

"What?" she said innocently. Scotty rolled his eyes, leaning back against the boxes and letting her fall against his chest.

"Hey, you remember the time I freaked out at the scan?"

"You bet I remember. That was probably my favourite moment of the whole pregnancy."

"Gee thanks, Lil."

Dr Klein frowned at the screen. Lilly waited, holding her breath. Scotty tensed.

"What's wrong? Is it the baby? Is the baby OK?" he asked anxiously. Lilly laughed, turning her head to look at him.

"Why, Valens! I didn't know you cared," she teased. Her partner narrowed his eyes playfully.

"I'm here, ain't I?"

Lilly leant over to kiss him. Dr Klein chuckled quietly. A soft thump filled the room. The detectives broke away from each other to stare at the sonogram in amazement. Dr Klein laughed at their expressions.

"There's your baby."

Scotty was at a loss for words, his mouth hanging open. Lilly chuckled at the expression on his face. After a moment, the male detective swallowed hard.

"That's…that's…?"

Dr Klein nodded.

"Baby's quite small, so it was hard to find a heartbeat." Lilly continued to laugh quietly, squeezing his hand. Klein raised her eyebrows.

"Do you need a moment?" she asked gently.

Lilly glanced at her boyfriend, and seeing the stunned expression on his face, she nodded.

"It looks like it."

Scotty finally tore his eyes away from the screen, looking to his partner.

"It has a face!"

"...and you just couldn't stop saying 'It has a face!'," Lilly laughed. Scotty chuckled.

"Give me a break, Lil. It was the first time I was seein' my kid."

"No, I get it, Scotty. Really. But it was kinda funny," Lilly replied with a smile.

"So do I get to know whether we're having an Adam or an Eve yet?"

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"Because I have it all planned out. I know just how to tell you."

He pressed her back into the evidence boxes, ravaging her lips with his.

"Just tell me."

"And ruin all my hard work? No way," she teased. He pinned her arms above her head, her squeak lost as she noticed the lust in his eyes.

"Tell me," he murmured dangerously, his voice rough from desire. Lilly smirked.

"No," she replied. Scotty groaned, and pushed his hips against hers in revenge.

"Tell me!"

"Play nice, Valens," Lilly warned huskily. He backed off slightly, brushing his lips over hers in a ghost of a kiss.

"Fine. But I'll get it out of you sometime today."

She could never resist a challenge.

"Bring it on."

The rest of their afternoon passed without any great event. Even as Lilly switched her bedside lamp off, Scotty tried to get his answer out of her.

"Boy or girl?"

"Not gonna work."

"Boy or girl?"

"Go to sleep."

For the first time in weeks, Scotty slept the whole night through, his arms and legs tangled around hers. As the clock changed to 7:07 the next morning, Lilly leant over and kissed his forehead, watching as he blearily opened an eye.

"Lil..." he mumbled sleepily, "What time is it?"

"It's early."

"Where are you goin'?" She stroked his face, smiling slightly.

"I'm headin' into work. Go back to sleep. I love you." Scotty nodded.

"Love you too," he slurred. The blonde detective stood up, stifling a laugh when she noticed he was already asleep.

A little more than an hour later, Scotty sat down at his desk, craning his neck to try and find Lil. Stillman appeared beside him.

"Scotty."

"Mornin', boss. You seen Lil around?"

The lieutenant nodded.

"She's out talking to witnesses." Scotty looked up sharply.

"WHAT?"

Stillman chuckled at his detective's protectiveness.

"She's with Jeffries, Scotty. They'll be fine."

"Yeah?"

"If it makes you feel better, I spoke to her ten minutes ago. She left you something, by the way, in the break room."

Scotty arched an eyebrow in confusion, hurrying off to find what Lilly had left for him. He saw it stuck to the fridge- a copy of the latest sonogram and a note written in Lilly's familiar writing.

You should always listen to me when I say I have a plan. Scratch that. You should always listen to me full stop.

He chuckled, turning to where a flat package sat waiting for him on the table. He gently pulled the tissue paper from the gift, a slight frown creasing his brow. A small note fell to the table.

"To Daddy, with love," he read, a grin spreading across his face. His fingers felt soft cotton under his fingers, and he allowed the wrappings to slide from his grasp. Staring down at the gift, tears sprang unbidden to his eyes, and he laughed tearfully. Scotty wiped his hand over his face. You're simply amazin', Lilly Rush.

A/N Giggle. What has Lilly left him? And is the baby a boy or a girl? I promise that if you leave me a review, both questions will be answered in the next chapter. Actually, they'll be answered in the next chapter whether you leave a review or not. My ego, on the other hand…that could use some TLC.